Consultant - Analytical Synthesis of Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities Studies

Our vision is of a world where no one is blind from avoidable causes and where visually impaired people participate equally in society. Each year, we improve the lives of millions of people in the poorest parts of the world.

Irish Aid has funded two similar projects (2017 – 2021) in West Africa; one in Cameroon and one in Senegal. The projects are broadly focused on political participation with a focus on both inclusive elections as well as inclusive local development, both entry points for facilitating greater political engagement for people with disabilities. In order to understand the context and to gather critical baseline data, Sightsavers undertook several studies (9 documents in total: 4 in Cameroon and 5 in Senegal) carried out in 2017. For each country these included: a desk review on the inclusiveness of policies, codes and development plans; a situational analysis of individuals with disabilities’ participation carried out by DPOs; multi-stakeholders study highlighting obstacles and challenges faced by institutions and external actors in the participation of persons with disabilities; and a research on persons with disabilities participation and the whole population. In addition, Senegal has also undergone an accessibility audit of polling stations.

In 2018, dissemination and feedback workshops were organized in each country. Sightsavers would like to produce a consolidated document for each country. Each of the 2 documents clearly synthesizes the findings and articulates an analysis of the situation in order to assist in defining strategies & priorities, as well as to develop a practical action plan with partners.

All the documents will be available in French and in English and so the consultant should be fluent in French and English, have a knowledge of disability, public policy, international development, and political participation.